When my daughter was 11 months old, I brought her to a shoe store, had her feet measured and purchased a pair of $40 Stride Rite sneakers for her. It was a momentous occasion, not only because she had recently taken her first steps and would finally wear shoes for their intended purpose but also because I had spent money on baby attire for the first time. Yes, really.
So how did I manage to make it nearly a year without shelling out a dime for baby stuff" First, admittedly, by having generous family and friends who gifted us with many essentials at my baby shower. But also, I am very, very thrifty (some may even say cheap). My husband and I live in one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in one of America?s most expensive cities (Park Slope, Brooklyn) and earn a solid middle-class living?and I was determined to not go broke after giving birth. I invite you to steal my frugality hacks for your baby?s first year. Hustle your ?hood
Find your local community parents listserv or social media group and search the classifieds. From the Ergobaby carrier and breastfeeding pillow to the Rock ?n Play and crib, all of our baby gear came as hand-me-downs, free or deeply discounted, courtesy of those classified ads (that?s how I scored the majority of my maternity clothes, too). Then I paid it forward and passed along the same stuff to the next expecting neighbour.
Arrange a clothing swap
I?m lucky that my local parents group organizes biannual swaps of baby clothes. Before I becam...